35 pages • 1 hour read
Clyde Robert BullaThe Sword in the Tree
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1956A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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BetaBackground
Historical Context: Medieval England
The Sword in the Tree is a historical fiction novel set in an imagined version of medieval England. While the story is a fantasy, Bulla’s setting and characters exemplify the real feudal structure of England in the Middle Ages. In the story, the country is a monarchy ruled by a king, who assigns the country’s regions to lords and other nobility to rule over. Lord and Lady Weldon belong to this aristocratic class and preside over Weldon Castle. Shepherds like Magnus belong to the rural peasant class, who live and work under the domain of a particular Lord. Like most real medieval societies, the social world of the novel is strictly hierarchical, which is why Magnus is surprised to meet Shan and Lady Weldon and discover that they are in need of his help.
The Middle Ages is also noted for its cult of chivalry, an aristocratic code of behavior and values that was supposed to shape the conduct of knights and other members of the nobility. According to the tenets of chivalry, a knight was supposed to behave with honor and integrity, protecting the weak and fighting against the injustices of the powerful. In The Sword in the Tree, Shan’s uncle Lionel represents a violation of this code, as he lies about his brother’s death and seeks to disinherit Shan.
In historical medieval England, kings and other nobility practiced primogeniture, meaning that the eldest son would inherit their parents’ titles and land. This is echoed in the story, as Lord and Lady Weldon’s son, Shan, will inherit his father’s title and property after his death, continuing the family tradition and retaining the family’s powerful position in the kingdom. However, just as in so much of real medieval history, Shan’s enviable position as heir does not go unchallenged, as Lionel schemes his way into Weldon Castle and its primary position of power.
Literary Context: The Legend of King Arthur
Bulla adds another medieval twist to his novel by setting it in King Arthur’s kingdom of Camelot. Arthur is a legendary king whose heroism, chivalry, and feats in battle made him one of the most beloved characters in Britain’s medieval folklore. While the folklore about Arthur may predate even the medieval years, writers began circulating stories about Arthur in the early medieval period, and they have remained popular up to the present day. Some historians now believe that the character of King Arthur may be a composite of several real historical figures, while others consider him purely legendary.
While there are many versions of the myths about King Arthur, he is usually depicted as a heroic leader who unites Britain’s tribes against the invading Saxons. His legendary court, Camelot, is known for its fair and chivalrous knights, who are all equals at their round table. In The Sword in the Tree, Shan must travel to Camelot to consult King Arthur, who, as in the original Arthurian legends, is portrayed as a fair and insightful leader. In the story, Shan has great faith that Arthur will help him in his quest since he has a reputation as a wise leader who has secured peace for England.
In another echo of the original Arthurian myths, young Shan must also prove his position as heir by finding a particular sword. Like Arthur pulling his sword, Excalibur, from a stone to prove that he is the real king, Shan must reveal his sword from its hiding place in the oak tree to prove to Sir Gareth that he is the real heir to the lordship and Weldon Castle. By layering his story with that of King Arthur, the author places the smaller world of Shan’s story into the much larger universe of King Arthur’s legend, lending his story gravitas and adding depth to his setting and supporting characters. Other young adult novels about King Arthur include King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table and Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur.
